Your Questions

Q

As you know George Fraser wrote a series of books set in history with the fictional 'Flashman' inserted into real events.  Mr. Fraser died recently.  As far as I know nobody has followed in his footsteps.

Although I can't think of a writer better suited than you to pick up the Flashman universe and create new stories, I wonder if you have any information whether or not the estate will be allowing other writers to create in that wonderful universe?

I'm looking forward to every Sharpe novel you can pump out!

Thank you and a sincere thanks for the great entertainment you've provided me and my fellows over the years.

Pat Hulse
Newberg, Oregon

Submitted April 8, 2013

A

I have no idea, and I’m sure I’m not the right person, though I’m most grateful for your faith in me.  George had a wryness and wit that is way beyond me!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell

I enjoy all your books.
They give me relaxation, enjoyment and I learn much about history.
A question?
Sharpe and Thomas of Hookton seem to kill many enemies during each book.
How many enemies would a top class soldier of their eras actually have killed in battle? Is it possible to estimate this?
Kind regards
Robair

Submitted April 8, 2013

A

I doubt it’s possible.  They’re both fictional heroes so probably their tally is unnaturally high, but in hand to hand fighting, such as at Poitiers? I imagine some guys were fearsomely effective. And we do have other accounts, like Sergeant Ewart at Waterloo, and his score must have been high too, you didn’t want to upset him!

Q

I am a  part-time student at the University of Bolton ,UK , and I am currently researching for my final 2nd year project  about the relative difficulty between finding accurate information  in different eras of historical fiction - for example, how hard it is to write about the Anglo-Saxon era in comparison to the Napoleonic Wars.  I was hoping that you could help me out by telling me how hard  (or easy) it was to  research the various periods of history that you have written about.
yours sincerely,
Adam Jones
PS  I'm a massive Sharpe fan !

Submitted April 8, 2013

A

I’m not sure I know how hard or easy either was, which isn’t at all helpful to you. Obviously there’s a great deal of information available for the Napoleonic era, all those diaries, letters and superb histories, and we lack much of that for the medieval period, so on the face of it the Napoleonic period is easier . . . but for a novelist a dearth of information is sometimes a gift (you have so much more freedom to make things up!).  And research is, I’ve come to realize, a lifetime occupation. I rarely sit down to research a period, but have spent a lifetime reading and some of it must sink in, and sometimes the best facts come from a source that has nothing to do with history at all – in the new book, which I hope to finish this month – there’s a superb tip on how to tell if water in a boat’s bilge is salt or fresh (yes, I know, taste it, but suppose you can’t reach it?) and that came from a book that had nothing to do with boats, Saxons, history or Vikings.  I suppose it’s easier to research a literate period, but probably easier to write about a pre-literate society? There, no help to you at all.

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell,
I find your presentation of the Norse beliefs in the Saxon books very interesting. We know that Scandanavia was largely left alone due to Roman defeats in the Germanic lands. In presenting the two sides, Saxon V Dane, do you think the norse beliefs of reputation and dying in battle were a major reason for the success of the Vikings?

Cannot wait for Pagan Lord,
Craig

Submitted April 8, 2013

A

I doubt it, but it isn’t something I’ve given a great deal of thought. Christians could be pretty bellicose too (read the charming passages in the Old Testament about smiting enemies) and I don’t think the northmen became less effective after their conversion.  There’s no doubt that cultural values affected it, and the Viking diaspora was driven by those values and, of course, religion is a large part of their value system, but it’s worth remembering that they were defeated almost everywhere (Ireland, Britain, Frankia), and their eventual successes came under Christian leadership.  Uhtred blathers on about Christianity weakening a society (following Gibbons’s theory of the Roman Empire), but I don’t think he’s right!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell!

Firstly, let me thank you for your fantastic books! I read a lot of authors since I was little but you are the first of whom I read every book (though I still have to read "A crowning mercy, but it is already ordered), I do love your writing style and how your characters are bound to history and not to "Zeitgeist".

To me question: Being german, I very much liked that you featured the KGL in your Sharpe novels. Though I'm very well read into Napoleonic history, and that from a german point of view, I actually never heard of them before. That was astonishing to me, as I read dozens of german books on the coalition wars and never even saw a footnote on the KGL.

So, if you ever have the time to write a stand alone novel between your series, will you write one where the main character is from the KGL? There is no novel that concentrates on the KGL, I looked everywhere!

Looking forward to seeing Uthred again,
sincerely yours,
Robert Senkowsky

Submitted April 8, 2013

A

That’s a good idea!  Wellington prized the KGL because they were so reliable and, undoubtedly, provided his best cavalry.  You should look for August Schaumann’s wonderful book ‘On the Road with Wellington’s Army’, which I assume is available in its original German? He was a commissary officer with the KGL and his memoir is one of the very best!

Q

My father and I have always enjoyed sharing our latest reading with each other and a few years ago I started sending him your novels.  He became an instant fan.  I had never read the the Starbuck novels.  On a recent visit to attend his 89th birthday party he insisted that I start Rebel and I became instantly hooked.  However, it's been over 15 years since the last novel and we both wondered if there is any timeline for a next one.
Bradd Stubbs

 

Will the Starbuck chronicles continue? I just finished the trilogy and found your accounts fascinating and filled with wonderful and deeply developed characters. As a son of the South, a Civil War buff, and a retired Infantry Colonel, i found these were most satisfactory.
Barrett King

 

Did Nate survive the civil war?
Terry Miller

Submitted April 5, 2013

A

I do hope to get back to Starbuck one of these days!

Q

Sir, I'm reading the Saxon Series now, which I'm thoroughly enjoying and I recently read the Grail Quest series.  I note you'll be issuing a new Saxon book later this year, but I wonder whether you will write any other Hookton stories.  I'd love to see ole' Thomas loose his arrows once more!
Thanks,
Robert Allen

Submitted April 1, 2013

A

I'm not sure there will be more of Thomas...but never say never!

Q

I wish I could have given a better subject, but this is more a plea.I am not as "old" as you, by about 5 years, but I become more desperate. The "Warlord Chronicles" are clearly unfinished. How many more? When? For your older readers, you should have "consideration". Will the next book recount Uhtred's assault on Bebbanburg? Will he be assisted by Earl Ragnar? By Edward? You cannot leave we "old" people waiting for the conclusion.
You have worked in the early years of "Britain" and in later years. What about Roman Britain? For me, our "history" ended with the Napoleonic Wars. Everything after that is just politics.
Please, please, please, Mr Cornwell, give us what we need. The taste, the flavour, the courage of our ancestors. Watching you on TV, in relation to "Sharpe", I sense that you understand that need. Please remind us of who WE are. And get your books out in paperback as soon as possible, please. We pensioners need every break we can get.
My regards and best wishes
Brian Riches

 

Dear sir,
Uhtred of Bebbanburg is everything I wish I could be. Please could you tell me when the next book is being published?
Many thanks,
Sam

Over the years I have read most if not all off your books, and still have most of them on the shelf. At 73 and the memory getting dim I have the advantage of rediscovering the stories.I have just restarted at the beginning of the Warrior Chronicles will you be following on from death of kings? once again, thank you for the pleasure
Bryan Longstone-Hull

Submitted April 1, 2013

A

If all goes well, I hope to see the next book of Uhtred's story, 'The Pagan Lord', ready for publication (in the UK) in September.

Q

Did you write about Sharpe and the Battle of Toulose, references were made to it in Waterloo and was wondering if I missed anything re Jane, loss of his $, the loss of his telescope etc. Enjoy tour work. One of my fave authors since James Clavell
Shawn Roberts

Submitted April 1, 2013

A

Perhaps you missed Sharpe's Revenge?

Q

Hello Bernard,
I hope you and your family are doing well.
I am slowly arising from winter hibernation and the darkest period in my life so far.
How exciting to read about the new Uhtred book ... "The Pagan Lord".
In a book review I read "Death of Kings" is supposed to be the penultimate book in the Saxon Stories, which makes "The Pagan Lord" the last book? I hope not ...
I sincerely hope this will not be the last time we hear of our beloved Uhtred.
Which brings me to the next question; do you think about your retirement often, or plan to die in the mail coat writing novels?
I can understand you would like to slow the writing process down at some point, but at the same time I hope you will keep writing for years to come.
By the way; I would really love to read your incarnation of the legendary Robyn Hode!

All the best,

René
from The Netherlands

Submitted March 29, 2013

A

I retired more than thirty years ago. I spend my retirement writing books, sailing and, occasionally, appearing on stage. I can't imagine ever stopping any of those things, though doubtless decrepitude and senility will get me in the end!